ArcBest: Most rigs have electronic logs
ArcBest Corp. has nearly completed installation of electronic logging devices on its trucks, according to Chief Executive Officer Judy McReynolds.
McReynolds told investors during this week's fourth-quarter-earnings call that the company chose to adopt the technology well ahead of the Dec. 18, 2017, compliance date. A final rule requiring interstate commercial vehicles to be equipped with the devices was adopted Dec. 10, giving companies two years to be in compliance with a regulation intended to more accurately track a driver's hours of service.
"In addition to the necessary industry compliance there are other advantages in cost savings we have to gain from them," McReynolds said. "Those include capturing real-time data for improved labor and resource management and [global trade services] capabilities."
Several other Arkansas-based companies -- including CalArk International, USA Truck and Maverick USA -- have been early adopters of the technology, which will replace paper logbooks.
-- Robbie Neiswanger
Cox, Nexstar settle; 2 channels restored
Cox Communications customers got two of their channels back Thursday after the cable provider and Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc. hammered out a deal.
NBC station KNWA-TV, Channel 51, and its Fox affiliate, KFTA-TV, Channel 24, went off the air Saturday after Nexstar and Cox failed to agree to a new distribution deal. A total of 13 networks in nine markets were off the air due to the impasse.
Both companies released statements Thursday saying the deal had been reached, adding the specific terms of the agreement would not be disclosed.
In Arkansas, Cox primarily serves Northwest Arkansas.
-- John Magsam
7 state stocks drive 1.36 gain; 11 decline
The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, gained 1.36 to 294.76 Friday.
Eleven stocks declined and seven advanced.
Tyson Foods rose 9.9 percent with 16.2 million shares traded.
Acxiom rose 9 percent on four times its normal volume.
USA Truck fell 5.8 percent on average volume.
Simmons First National fell 3 percent in light trading.
For the week, Tyson climbed 7 percent and ArcBest dropped 10.4 percent.
Total volume for the index was 45.2 million shares. The average daily volume for the week was 34.3 million shares.
The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.
Business on 02/06/2016